Blood group compatibility and aortic valve allotransplantation in man.

Immunologic injury is an important contributing factor in failure of aortic valve allografts. The etiology of this immune reaction is unknown, but blood group antibodies have been postulated. In 46 patients, ABO and rhesus blood group compatibility bore no relationship between the success or failure or aortic valve allotransplantation. Therefore, circulating blood group antibodies do not contribute to valve failure, and recipients do not have to receive aortic valve allografts matched for ABO or rhesus compatibility.